As a playoff spectator, Schottenheimer's allegiance lies with Cowher

Power Guy walks into Marty Schottenheimer's office, curious
about which AFC team he prefers in today's championship game.

"The only reason you ask," the wry Chargers coach said, "is
because you'll pick the team I don't pick."

Sure enough, Schottenheimer has picked apart -- through film
study -- today's competitors, the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh
Steelers. What Schottenheimer couldn't do in three chances this
season against the AFC finalists was secure a win.

The Broncos swept the Chargers, 20-17 and 23-7. The Steelers
brought their Terrible Towels to San Diego, and swiped a 24-22
victory.

So Schottenheimer shrugs when pressed about his favorite.
Although, he can't hide what's so visible.

Schottenheimer, a Pennsylvania native and former All-America
linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh, clearly wants the
Steelers to prevail and advance to Super Bowl XL against the
Seattle Seahawks-Carolina Panthers winner.

Few things would be finer to Schottenheimer -- who'll be sitting
today in his Charlotte, N.C., home recliner -- than watching Bill
Cowher's Steelers triumph.

"Blood is thicker than water," Schottenheimer said.

The two don't share a last name, but their veins both reveal a
passion for squads with hard-nosed defenses, stout running attacks
and solid special teams.

That was the blueprint Schottenheimer shared with
then-28-year-old Cowher in 1985, after hiring him as the Cleveland
Browns' special teams coach.

When Schottenheimer left Cleveland for Kansas City in 1989,
among the things with which he departed were the legacy of The
Drive (that's bad) and The Chin (that's good).

Cowher was Schottenheimer's defensive coordinator with the
Chiefs before hitching his ride with the Steelers in 1992.

Schottenheimer is quick to say he lives vicariously through his
players' performances. He often jokes how he was a "pretty good
practice player" when toiling in mostly backup roles for six years
with the Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots.

If Schottenheimer can't reach the Super Bowl -- a 5-12
postseason mark has seen to that -- having Cowher stalk a sideline
in a game boasting Roman numerals is the next-best-thing.

Schottenheimer and Cowher spoke last week, after the Steelers
survived their divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis
Colts. There's little doubt Schottenheimer shared the Chargers'
stellar defensive game plan, which resulted in the Colts' 13-game
winning streak ending in December.

Like the Chargers did, the Steelers pestered Indy quarterback
Peyton Manning. The Chargers sacked him four times; the Steelers,
using a similar 3-4 alignment, manhandled Manning with five
sacks.

But Schottenheimer doesn't pull a bag over his head, ignoring
the task awaiting the Steelers. Dancing with the Broncos in Denver
-- they haven't lost at Invesco Field this season -- isn't for the
faint of heart.

Chargers fans know all too well the devil of Denver: two Bolts
wins in their last 19 visits.

"It's very tough to win up in that stadium," Schottenheimer
said. "I'm thinking if Pittsburgh can come out like they did
against Indy and move the ball as they did, that sets the tone. But
whether they can do that remains to be seen."